Friday, December 9, 2011

The Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association (ICVA) is joining Smoke Free Indy in support of a smoke-free ordinance that includes 100 percent of bars, restaurants and hotel rooms. The ICVA is the official sales and marketing organization for the city, charged with driving tourism and booking conventions.

“Eliminating smoking in Indianapolis’ hospitality industry will benefit the region’s convention and tourism industry,” said Leonard Hoops, president and CEO of the ICVA. “A smoke-free law will not only help us attract new business, but will enhance the visitors’ experience while protecting hospitality workers from secondhand smoke.”

Tourism is big business for Indianapolis, generating more than $3.4 billion in economic impact annually and supporting more than 69,000 jobs.

“Indianapolis is fortunate to attract more than 18 million visitors every year. Whether they come from another state or another country, most of them are protected by smokefree laws where they live and are shocked when they realize Indianapolis still allows smoking inside,” said Lindsay Grace, Chair of Smoke Free Indy. “We want to show our visitors that we’re a world class city that cares about the health of our guests as well as our workers.”

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Smoke Free Indy is a coalition of state and local public health organizations, community based organizations, physicians, businesses, schools, the faith community, and Marion County residents dedicated to reducing secondhand smoke, tobacco usage and tobacco initiation through education, prevention and advocacy. For more information visit: www.smokefreeindy.com.

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Smoke Free Indy is a coalition of state and local public health organizations, community based organizations, physicians, businesses, schools, the faith community, and Marion County residents dedicated to reducing secondhand smoke, tobacco usage and tobacco initiation through education, prevention and advocacy. For more information visit: www.smokefreeindy.com.